Cold insulation tool

ABSTRACT

Provided is a cold insulation tool capable of easily producing ice slurry. The cold insulation tool includes an outer casing that is provided to accommodate a tubular storage container filled with a beverage, a heat exchange unit that is detachably provided in the outer casing, and a stimulating unit that increases a surface area of at least a part of a gas-liquid interface of the beverage, in which the heat exchange unit includes a heat-storage material having a predetermined melting point, and a filling portion that has an internal space for filling with the heat-storage material liquid-tightly, and the melting point of the heat-storage material is lower than −0.2° C.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cold insulation tool.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-055310 filed Mar. 22, 2018, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, the importance of hydration for preventing heatstroke in a hot environment or dehydration before, during, and after exercise, and maintaining performance has been widely recognized. Among them, particularly, it is a matter of common knowledge that an aqueous solution beverage containing an electrolyte such as sodium ion (Na⁺) or chloride ion (Cl⁻) discharged from a body with sweat during sweating and sugar such as glucose as an energy source, so-called a sports beverage is effective.

Further, a method of ingesting ice slurry has been proposed as a method of ingesting water for effectively lowering a core temperature of the body. The “ice slurry” refers to a fluid sherbet-like beverage containing a mixture of small ice and liquid. It has been clear that the ice slurry gives a small burden to the stomach and intestines because it can lower the core temperature of the body with a smaller ingesting amount than the liquid sports beverage.

Meanwhile, a technique for keeping a beverage cold has been known for a long time. PTLs 1 and 2 disclose a cold insulation container keeping a wine, which is taken out from a refrigerator that is temperature-controlled, such as a wine cellar, to a room temperature environment, cold in a suitable temperature range (5° C. to 20° C.).

Further, PTL 3 discloses a method of providing a packaged beverage, in which a carbonated beverage or a beverage with a high internal pressure of a container when sealed is cooled to a predetermined temperature to be in a supercooled state, the pressure is adjusted so that the beverage in a supercooled state is pressure-shift frozen due to a difference when opened between a pressure in the container and atmospheric pressure.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 4406683

PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-202173

PTL 3: Japanese Patent No. 5680780

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, an object of the cold insulation container as disclosed in PTLs 1 and 2 is to keep the beverage cold in a suitable temperature range. Therefore, it is not assumed that the beverage is cooled at a temperature below a lower limit of a suitable temperature, for example, 0° C. or lower. Accordingly, it is not assumed that ice slurry is produced by controlling the supercooled state of the beverage using this type of cold insulation container.

The container as disclosed in PTL 3 is required to adjust the internal pressure of the container. In addition, the beverage whose internal pressure of the container is not adjusted cannot keep the supercooled state, and when the container is opened, the beverage cannot be frozen. For this reason, there is room for improvement in this type of container.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cold insulation tool capable of easily producing ice slurry.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cold insulation tool including an outer casing that is provided to accommodate a storage container that is tubular and filled with a beverage, a heat exchange unit that is detachably provided in the outer casing; and a stimulating unit that increases a surface area of at least a part of a gas-liquid interface of the beverage, in which the heat exchange unit includes a heat-storage material having a predetermined melting point, and a filling portion that has an internal space for liquid-tightly filling the heat-storage material therein, and the melting point of the heat-storage material is lower than −0.2° C.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may have a main body portion that has a tubular shape, a bowl shape, or a substantially spherical shape and has an internal space, and a plurality of holes may be formed in at least a part of the main body portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, a density of a forming material of the main body portion may be lower than a density of water at 20° C.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a holding portion that holds the main body portion at an opening of the storage container.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may include a shaft member and a brush body that is provided on at least a part of the shaft member.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may be a porous body.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may include a plurality of linear members that extend along an axial direction of a central axis and are radially disposed along a circumferential direction of the central axis, and a support that supports the plurality of linear members.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a closing member that is detachably provided at an opening of the storage container, in which the stimulating unit is provided on the closing member.

In an aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a container main body that is tubular and provided such that the container main body is filled with the beverage, and accommodated in the outer casing, and a closing member that is detachably provided at an opening of the container main body.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may be provided on the closing member.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include an alarm unit that outputs an alarm sound.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may include a vibration generation unit that applies vibration to the beverage.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a measurement unit for measuring a time for cooling the beverage, and a timer unit that automatically controls the vibration generation unit after a time measured by the measurement unit reaches a predetermined time, in which the predetermined time is a time preset as a time taken for a temperature of the beverage reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include an alarm unit that outputs an alarm sound after reaching the predetermined time.

In one aspect of the present invention, the vibration generation unit may include an ultrasonic wave generation unit that exposes the beverage to an ultrasonic wave.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and a notification unit that notifies, via the communication unit, the external device after a time taken for a temperature of the beverage reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage is elapsed.

In one aspect of the present invention, the cold insulation tool may further include a damper that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer casing.

In one aspect of the present invention, the outer casing may have a fixing portion that is provided to fix the storage container.

In one aspect of the present invention, the outer casing may have a fixing portion that is provided to fix the container main body.

In one aspect of the present invention, the stimulating unit may have a capsule-like or tablet-like carbon dioxide-generating agent that generates carbon dioxide by coming into contact with the beverage.

In one aspect of the present invention, the carbon dioxide-generating agent may be a tablet-like carbon dioxide-generating agent, and contain a water-soluble main agent and compressed carbon dioxide.

In one aspect of the present invention, the carbon dioxide-generating agent may contain sodium hydrogencarbonate and citric acid.

In one aspect of the present invention, a foamed resin or cloth may be used as a forming material for the outer casing.

In one aspect of the present invention, the outer casing may use a stretchable material as the forming material.

In one aspect of the present invention, a freezing temperature of the heat-storage material may be −30° C. or higher.

In one aspect of the present invention, the freezing temperature of the heat-storage material may be −18° C. or higher.

In one aspect of the present invention, the heat-storage material may be an inorganic salt aqueous solution containing water and an inorganic salt, a concentration w of the inorganic salt with respect to a total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution may be less than a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of the water and the inorganic salt, and a melting point T of the heat-storage material may satisfy a following Equation (1).

$\begin{matrix} {{T = {- \frac{RT_{f}^{2}}{\Delta \; H}}}\frac{nw}{M\left( {{100} - w} \right)}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

(T: melting point (° C.)

w: concentration of inorganic salt (% by mass)

M: molecular weight of inorganic salt (g/mol)

R: gas constant (J/K·mol)

Tf: melting point of water (K)

ΔH: latent heat of water (J/g)

n: a number of ions generated when one inorganic salt is ionized in aqueous solution)

In one aspect of the present invention, the heat-storage material may be an inorganic salt aqueous solution containing water and an inorganic salt, and a concentration of the inorganic salt with respect to a total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution may be a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of the water and the inorganic salt.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cold insulation tool capable of easily producing ice slurry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cold insulation tool 1 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 30.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a heat exchange unit 25.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a heat exchange unit 20 according to a modification example.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 130 according to a modification example.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 230 according to a modification example.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 330 according to a modification example.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 430 according to a modification example.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a container member 50 according to a modification example.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 2 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustration a cold insulation tool 3 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustration a cold insulation tool 4 according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 5 according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 6 according to a sixth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a cold insulation tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In all of the following drawings, for easy viewing, the dimensions and ratios of the respective components are different as appropriate.

[Cold Insulation Tool]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cold insulation tool 1 according to the present embodiment. The cold insulation tool 1 is used for accommodating a storage container B that has a tubular shape and is filled with a beverage and controlling a supercooled state of the beverage in the storage container B to produce ice slurry.

In the present specification, the “beverage” is a soft beverage generally called a functional beverage and obtained by blending a component having a function of modulating a biological activity, and particularly, refers to an aqueous solution beverage in consideration of a blending balance of electrolytes and carbohydrates. This beverage may contain various vitamins, amino acids, dietary fibers, and the like. The “beverage” is so-called a sports beverage, an isotonic beverage, a hypotonic beverage, an oral rehydration solution, a balanced beverage, or the like.

For example, as an electrolyte, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, or the like with an adjusted ion concentration is used to promote absorption of water in the body. In addition, as a saccharine, glucose, fructose, or the like is used to supply energy. As amino acid, branched amino acid effective for maintenance muscle and recovery from muscular fatigue, or the like is often used.

The “storage container” is a tubular container having an accommodation space filled with the beverage, and is mainly a plastic bottle or a can.

Such a “beverage” is completely frozen in a home refrigerator which is controlled at a temperature about −18° C. or in a refrigerator for business use which is controlled at a temperature about −30° C. Therefore, it is difficult to produce ice slurry from the beverage using these refrigerators.

Further, an object of a conventional cold insulation tool for keeping a beverage at a suitable temperature is, to keep the beverage cold in a suitable temperature range. Therefore, it is not assumed that the beverage is cooled at a temperature below a lower limit of a suitable temperature, for example, 0° C. or lower. Accordingly, it is not assumed that ice slurry is produced by controlling the supercooled state of the beverage using this type of cold insulation tool.

On the other hand, if the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment is used, the ice slurry can be easily produced.

The cold insulation tool 1 includes an outer casing 10 provided to accommodate the storage container B of a beverage, a heat exchange unit 25 detachably provided in the outer casing 10, and a stimulating unit 30 increasing a surface area of a part of at least a gas-liquid interface of the beverage.

(Outer Casing)

The outer casing 10 has a tubular shape with a bottom portion, and has an opening/closing portion 11 capable of adjusting an opening diameter of an opening 10 a that is provided at an upper portion. The opening/closing portion 11 is, for example, a fastener or a button. In the cold insulation tool 1, the opening diameter of the opening 10 a can be adjusted to be small while the opening/closing portion 11 covers the entire storage container B.

If the opening diameter of the opening 10 a can be adjusted, a string-shaped member is used as the opening/closing portion 11, and the opening diameter of the opening 10 a may thus be adjusted by narrowing the opening 10 a using a string-shaped member such as a so-called drawstring bag.

In the cold insulation tool 1 with such a configuration, since the upper portion of the outer casing 10 can be closed, it is possible to prevent the storage container B from falling off and suppress heat input through the opening 10 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the cold insulation tool 1 having the outer casing 10, the storage container B which is a cooling target is cooled in a state of being stood in the outer casing 10 (state of supporting the storage container B at a bottom portion of the storage container B). A cold insulation tool that realizes such a cooling state may be hereinafter referred to as a “vertical type” cold insulation tool.

The outer casing 10 can be manufactured using various materials, but it is preferable that a foamed resin or cloth is used as a forming material for the outer casing 10. These materials have an air layer formed therein and a high heat insulation performance. Therefore, it is possible to suppress occurrence of dew condensation on an outer surface of the outer casing 10 when the cold insulation tool 1 is used.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer casing 10 uses a material having stretchability (stretchable material) as a forming material. When the stretchable material is used as a forming material of the outer casing 10, the outer casing 10 can extend in a radial direction to accommodate the storage container B even when an inner diameter of the outer casing 10 is smaller than an outer diameter of the storage container B. In such a case, the outer casing 10 can tights externally the storage container B and the heat exchange unit 25 which are accommodated inside the outer casing 10, and the storage container B and the heat exchange unit 25 can be adhered each other.

As a material of the outer casing 10, a foamed rubber which is a foamed resin having stretchability is preferable. Examples of the foamed rubber can include a foaming chloroprene rubber.

A size of the outer casing 10 may be appropriately set according to a size of the storage container B for cooling and a size of the heat exchange unit 25 used for cooling.

The outer casing 10 may have a fixing belt (fixing portion) on an upper end side of an inner peripheral surface 10 x. The fixing belt is wound around the storage container B to fix the storage container B. As a result, the storage container B and the heat exchange unit 25 can be cooled while being close to or in contact with each other.

(Stimulating Unit)

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the stimulating unit 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the stimulating unit 30 has a main body portion 31 having a tubular shape and an internal space and a holding portion 34 holding the main body portion 31 in an opening Ba of the storage container B.

In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the stimulating unit 30 is detachably provided with the central axis aligned to the opening Ba of the storage container B. A diameter of the main body portion 31 is smaller than a diameter of the opening Ba of the storage container B.

A plurality of holes 32 are formed in a bottom surface of the main body portion 31. In FIG. 2, the plurality of holes 32 have a substantially circular shape or an egg shape, but are not limited thereto. The shape of the plurality of holes 32 may be, for example, a triangle, a rectangle, a star, an ellipse, or a deformed shape of some of these structures.

Further, the plurality of holes 32 are disposed radially from the center of the bottom surface of the main body portion 31, but are not limited to this. The plurality of holes 32 may be disposed in a zigzag manner, for example.

A plurality of holes 33 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 31. In FIG. 2, the plurality of holes 33 have a rectangular shape, but are not limited to this. The shape of the plurality of holes 32 may be the shape described above, for example.

The plurality of holes 33 are disposed along a height direction of the main body portion 31 and a circumferential direction of the central axis of the main body portion 31, and the whole outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 31 has a lattice shape. The plurality of holes 32 may be disposed, for example, in a zigzag manner, but not limited to described above.

The numbers of the plurality of holes 32 and the plurality of holes 33 are not particularly limited. In addition, the main body portion 31 may not have the plurality of holes 33 as long as the main body portion 31 has the plurality of holes 32 on the bottom surface of the main body portion 31.

The forming material of the main body portion 31 is not particularly limited, but is easy to form the plurality of holes 32 and the plurality of holes 33, and therefore, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (hereinafter, referred to as resin), or the like is preferable.

The holding portion 34 is provided on a circumference of an upper surface of the main body portion 31. A diameter of the holding portion 34 is larger than the diameter of the opening Ba of the storage container B.

(Heat Exchange Unit)

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the heat exchange unit 25. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken. along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heat exchange unit 25 has a heat-storage material 21 having a predetermined melting point, and a filling portion 26 having an internal space for filling liquid-tightly the heat-storage material 21 therein.

In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the heat exchange unit 25 is provided along an outer peripheral surface Ba of the storage container B and at a position in contact with at least a part of the outer peripheral surface Ba in the circumferential direction. More specifically, the heat exchange unit 25 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface 10 x of the outer casing 10.

The heat exchange unit 25 is “in contact with the outer peripheral surface Ba” means that when the storage container B stands in a normal posture with the bottom surface facing downward, the outer peripheral surface of the storage container B which overlaps a portion filled with the beverage in the radial view of the storage container B is in contact with the heat exchange unit 25.

More specifically, the “outer peripheral surface” where the storage container B and the heat exchange unit 25 are in contact refers to the outer peripheral surface in the range where an outer peripheral diameter is constant in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis of the storage container B. Such an caner peripheral surface is a surface in a range from the bottom surface of the storage container B to a predetermined height.

For example, when the storage container B is a PET bottle having a standard size of 500 ml and a straight-type body, the outer peripheral surface generally refers to a tubular region having a height of about 140 mm to 150 mm until the outer peripheral diameter starts to gradually decrease from the bottom surface of the storage container B.

When the storage container B is a straight can having a standard size of 500 ml, the outer peripheral surface refers to almost entire range of a height of 167.7 mm specified by JIS Z1571: 2005 (metal can for food).

Further, “in contact with at least a part of the outer peripheral surface Ba in the circumferential direction” means that a central angle of a circular arc from one end to the other end of the portion 26 in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface Ba is less than 360° in a static where the heat exchange unit 25 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface Ba. In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the central angle of the circular arc from one end to the other end of the filling portion 26 is 360°, that is, the whole (entire circumference) in a circumferential direction Ba is in contact with the heat exchange unit 25. In the present embodiment, the central angle may be adjusted according to a set time for cooling the beverage as a cooling target to the slurry formation standby state (supercooled state).

(Heat-Storage Material)

The melting point of the heat-storage material 21 is lower than −0.2° C. This is because the beverage as a cooling target is an aqueous solution beverage containing substances such as electrolytes and carbohydrates, and it is easily considered that an initial crystallization point will be −0.2° C. or lower depending on a concentration of the mixed substances. The melting point of the heat-storage material 21 used may be appropriately adjusted according to formulation of the beverage as a cooling target. The melting point of the heat-storage material 21 is more preferably −3° C. or lower. On the other hand, the melting point of the heat-storage material 21 may be higher than −30° C. The melting point of the heat-storage material 21 is higher than −30° C. and lower than −0.2° C., preferably higher than −18° C. and lower than −0.2° C., and more preferably −11° C. or higher and −3° C. or lower.

A freezing temperature of the heat-storage material 21 is preferably −30° C. or higher, and more preferably −18° C. or higher.

It can be confirmed by the following method that the freezing temperature of the heat-storage material 21 is −30° C. or higher. First, 40 g of the heat-storage material 21 is put in a plastic container and stood for 10 hours in a thermostat (SU-242 manufactured by ESPEC CORP.) set at −30° C. After 10 hours have elapsed, the plastic container is taken out from the thermostat, and it is confirmed whether or not the heat-storage material 21 is frozen. If the heat-storage material 21 freezes, it means that the freezing temperature of the heat-storage material 21 is −30° C. or higher. If the temperature of the thermostat is set to −18° C., it can be confirmed by the same method as described above that the freezing temperature of the heat-storage material 21 is −18° C. or higher.

The heat-storage material 21 is preferably an inorganic salt aqueous solution containing water and an inorganic salt.

The inorganic salt is a water-soluble salt and an ionic compound that ionizes into cations and anions when dissolved in water. In addition, the inorganic salt is a salt exhibiting freezing point depression when a concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is lower than a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of water and the inorganic salt. The “concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution” means a concentration of the inorganic salt with respect to the total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution.

Specific examples of the inorganic salt include chloride salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or ammonium chloride, bromide salts, nitrate salts such as potassium nitrate, sulfate salts such as magnesium sulfate, phosphate salts, and carbonate salts.

As one aspect, the concentration of the inorganic salt with respect to the total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution is preferably a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of the water and the inorganic salt.

For example, in a case where potassium nitrate is used as the inorganic salt, when the concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is about 10% by mass, a eutectic crystal of water and potassium nitrate is formed to obtain a heat-storage material having a melting point of about −3° C.

In a case where magnesium sulfate is used as the inorganic salt, when the concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is about 19% by mass, a eutectic crystal of water and magnesium sulfate is formed to obtain a heat-storage material having a melting point of about −4° C.

In a case where potassium chloride is used as the inorganic salt, when the concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is about 20% by mass, a eutectic crystal of water and potassium chloride is formed to obtain a heat-storage material having a melting point of about −11° C.

In a case where ammonium chloride is used as the inorganic salt, when the concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is about 18% by mass, a eutectic crystal of water and ammonium chloride is formed to obtain a heat-storage material having a melting point of about −15° C.

In a case where sodium chloride is used as the inorganic salt, when the concentration of the inorganic salt in the inorganic salt aqueous solution is about 23% by mass, a eutectic crystal of water and sodium chloride is formed to obtain a heat-storage material having a melting point of about −21° C.

As the heat-storage material 21, one inorganic salt may be used alone, or two or more inorganic salts may be used in combination. By using two or more inorganic salts in combination, the melting point of the heat-storage material 21 can be easily adjusted.

As one aspect, a concentration w of the inorganic salt with respect to the total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution may be less than the concentration forming a eutectic crystal of water and the inorganic salt. In this case, a melting point T of the heat-storage material preferably satisfies the following Equation (1). The right side of the following Equation (1) is an expression representing a general freezing point depression degree unit: K). However, in the present application, when the inorganic salt is added to water at a concentration lower than that forming a eutectic crystal, it was found that the right side of the following Equation (1) can be generally used as the melting point T of the aqueous solution (unit: ° C.).

$\begin{matrix} {{T = {- \frac{RT_{f}^{2}}{\Delta \; H}}}\frac{nw}{M\left( {{100} - w} \right)}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

(T: melting point (° C.)

w: concentration of inorganic salt (% by mass)

M: molecular weight of inorganic salt (g/mol)

R: gas constant (J/K·mol)

Tf: melting point of water (K)

ΔH: latent heat of water (J/g)

n: the number of ions generated when one inorganic salt is ionized in aqueous solution)

As described above, n in the above Equation (1) is the number of ions generated when one inorganic salt is ionized in the aqueous solution. When the inorganic salt is sodium chloride, the ions generated when ionized are sodium cation and chloride anion and n is 2.

Further, polyethylene glycol, paraffins, higher alcohols, and clathrate hydrates of organic substances can be used as the heat-storage material 21 as long as a desired melting point can be realized.

The heat-storage material 21 may contain an organic solvent as long as the effect of the invention is not impaired.

The heat-storage material 21 is preferably added with a preservative or an antibacterial agent.

The heat-storage material 21 may be added with thickeners such as xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, and the like. As the thickener, it is preferable to select a material having salt resistance.

In the heat-storage material 21, a dye may be dissolved. and the heat-storage material 21 is dyed. As the heat-storage material 21 is dyed, leakage of the heat-storage material 21 is easily recognized. A conventionally known dye can be used as long as the effect of the invention is not impaired.

The melting point of the heat-storage material 21 as described above can be adjusted by controlling the kind and concentration of the inorganic salt.

In the present specification, as the melting point of the heat-storage material 21, a value obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is adopted. Specifically, about 4 mg of the heat-storage material in a liquid phase state is enclosed in an aluminum pan for DSC measurement, the temperature of the heat-storage material is lowered at a rate of 5° C./min, and the phase of the heat-storage material is changed from the liquid phase state to a solid phase state, and then the temperature of the heat-storage material rises at a rate of 5° C./min. At this time, an endothermic peak is obtained in a DSC curve when the phase is changed from the solid phase state to the liquid phase state. The temperature obtained by extrapolating the temperature at which the endothermic peak starts to a baseline is a melting starting temperature. The melting starting temperature thus obtained was determined as the melting point of the heat-storage material.

(Filling Portion and Connecting Portion)

The heat exchange unit 25 has a plurality of filling portions 26. Each of the plurality of filling portions 26 extends in one direction.

It is preferable that the plurality of filling portions 26 are disposed along the inner peripheral surface 10 x and on the whole (entire circumference) of the inner peripheral surface 10 x in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the number of filling portions 26 is six, but is not limited to this. FIG. 3 illustrates a part of the six filling portions 26. The number of the filling portions 26 can be appropriately adjusted as long as the effect of the invention is not impaired.

A connecting portion 23 connects the plurality of filling portions 26 in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the filling portion 26.

The connecting portion 23 has flexibility. As a result, the heat exchange unit 25 can be curved in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the filling portion 26.

A bag member 261 is a bag which uses a resin film as a forming material, for example. The bag member 261 is adhered to a portion facing the inner peripheral surface in a band shape in one direction. The adhered portion in a band shape functions as the connecting portion 23. In addition, each of spaces divided by the connecting portion 23 in the bag member 261 functions as the filling portion 26.

In such a heat exchange unit 25, the plurality of filling portions 26 are integrally formed.

In FIG. 4, a sectional shape of the filling portion 26 is elliptical, but may be other shapes.

The forming material of the bag member 261 is preferably, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, or polyethylene terephthalate. In addition, as the forming material of the bag member 261, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, or polyvinylidene chloride may be used. One forming material of the bag member 261 may be used alone or two or more forming materials may be optionally used in combination. In addition, the bag member 261 may be formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers.

The bag member 261 is preferably formed of multilayer films of a low-density polyethylene resin layer and a polyamide resin layer. In this case, the two multilayer films overlap such that the low-density polyethylene resin layers face each other and the low-density polyethylene resin layers are thermocompression bonded to each other, to thereby forming the connecting portion 23.

For the purpose of enhancing durability and barrier properties of the bag member 261, it is preferable that the bag member 261 has an aluminum thin film or a silicon dioxide film.

According to the cold insulation tool 1 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

In the present embodiment, the heat exchange unit 25 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is used, but is not limited to this.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views illustrating a heat exchange unit 20 according to a modification example. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the heat exchange unit 20. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

The heat exchange unit 20 has a plurality of filling portions 22. Each of the plurality of filling portions 22 extends in one direction. In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, “one direction” in which the filling portion 22 extends is an axial direction of the outer casing 10.

The “axial direction of the outer casing 10” is an extending direction of the tubular outer casing 10. The “radial direction of the outer casing 10” is a direction orthogonal to a central axis when the central axis extending in the axial direction of the outer casing 10 and passing through the center of the outer casing 10 is assumed.

The plurality of filling portions 22 are disposed along the inner peripheral surface 10 x and on at least a part of the inner peripheral surface 10 x in the circumferential direction. It is preferable that the plurality of filling portions 22 are disposed along the inner peripheral surface 10 x and on the whole (entire circumference) of the inner peripheral surface 10 x in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the number of filling portions 22 is six, but is not limited to this. FIG. 5 illustrates a part of the six filling portions 22. The number of the filling portions 22 can be appropriately adjusted as long as the effect of the invention is not impaired.

The connecting portion 23 connects the plurality of filling portions 22 in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the filling portion 22. In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the “direction intersecting the extending direction of the filling portion 22” is the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the outer casing 10.

The connecting portion 23 has flexibility. As a result, the heat exchange unit 20 can be curved in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the filling portion 22.

The tilling portion 22 has a recessed groove-shaped curved portion 22 a on a surface facing the storage container B. The filling portion 22 is in contact with the storage container B at the curved portion 22 a. The filling portion 22 has a large contact area with the storage container B as compared with a case where the filling portion 22 does not have the curved portion 22 a. As a result, a cooling effect by the heat exchange unit 20 can be improved.

Further, the filling portion 22 has a first member 221 that has a container portion 221 a corresponding to an internal space of the filling portion 22 and a second member 222 that liquid-tightly seals the container portion 221 a.

The first member 221 is provided with the container portion 221 a by deep drawing. The container portion 221 a is filled therein with the heat-storage material 21.

The second member 222 is, for example, a resin film, and is liquid-tightly adhered to a portion in contact with the first member 221. The second member 222 may be a thermal lamination film. In this case, the first member 221 and the second member 222 can be adhered to each other by heat sealing at a portion where the first member 221 and the second member 222 is in contact with each other. The first member 221 and the second member 222 may be bonded to each other via an adhesive instead of heat sealing.

The forming materials of the first member 221 and the second member 222 are preferably, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester. As the forming materials of the first member 221 and the second member 222, one forming material may be used alone or two or more forming materials may be optionally used in combination. In addition, the first member 221 and the second member 222 may be formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers.

The portion where the first member 221 and the second member 222 are in contact with each other between the adjacent container portions 221 a functions as the connecting portion 23.

In the present specification, the container portion 221 a included in the first member 221 is provided with the curved portion 22 a described above. At this time, it is preferable that the second member 222 has lower rigidity than the first member 221. The rigidity of the first member 221 and the second member 222 can be controlled by adjusting Young's modulus of the material of each member and a thickness of each member.

As described above, it is preferable that a radius of curvature of the curved portion 22 a is set according to a radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the storage container B that is assumed to be a cooling target. On the other hand, the heat-storage material 21 with which the filling portion 22 is filled needs to be solidified in advance before use. At this time, when the heat-storage material 21 is solidified, the volume of the heat-storage material 21 is changed, and the filling portion 22 may be thus deformed.

Even in that case, if the second member 222 has lower rigidity than the first member 221, the second member 222 is deformed, such that it is possible to suppress the deformation of the first member 221. As a result, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the shape of the curved portion 22 a, bring the curved portion 22 a into good contact with the outer peripheral surface of the storage container B, and cool the storage container B well.

In the heat exchange unit 20, the filling portion 22 and the connecting portion 23 may be integrally formed by using the first member 221 and the second member 222 as described above, and the filling portion 22 and the connecting portion 23 may be manufactured by forming the filling portion 22 and the connecting portion 23 as a separate member and then performing integration. Specifically, after the plurality of filling portions 22 are formed as separate members, the heat exchange unit 20 may be formed by connecting the filling portions 22 each other using a band-shaped member separate from the filling portion 22. In this case, the band-shaped member that connects the filling portions 22 to each other corresponds to the connecting portion 23.

In the present embodiment, the stimulating unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 is used, but is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 130 according to a modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the stimulating unit 130 has a main body portion 131 having a bowl shape an internal space and a holding portion 134 holding the main body portion 131 in the opening Ba of the storage container B.

The “bowl shape” means a conical shape or a pyramid shape.

A plurality of holes 132 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 31. In FIG. 7, the plurality of holes 132 have a substantially trapezoidal shape or a triangular shape, but the shapes are not limited thereto. The shape of the plurality of holes 132 may be the shape described above, for example.

The plurality of holes 132 are disposed along a height direction of the main body portion 131 and a circumferential direction of the central axis of the main body portion 131, and the whole outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 131 has a lattice shape. In particular, the plurality of triangular holes 132 are disposed along the circumferential direction of the central axis in contact with an apex of the main body portion 131. A method of arranging the plurality of holes 132 is not limited to described above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 230 according to a modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the stimulating unit 230 includes a main body portion 231 that is long and cylindrical and has an internal space.

The longitudinal direction of the main body portion 231 is an axial direction of the outer casing 10.

A plurality of holes 232 are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 231. In FIG. 8, the plurality of holes 232 has a circular shape, but the shape is not limited to this. The shape of the plurality of holes 232 may be the shape described above, for example.

Further, the plurality of triangular holes 232 are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 231 and a circumferential direction of the central axis of the main body portion 231. A method of arranging the plurality of holes 232 is not limited to described above.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 330 according to a modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the stimulating unit 330 includes a shaft member 331 and a brush body 332 provided at a tip of the shaft member 331.

The axial direction of the shaft member 331 is an axial direction of the outer casing 10.

The brush body 332 is provided in a spiral shape along the axial direction of the shaft member 331. The form of the brush body 332 is not limited to this. The brush body 332 may be provided, for example, in an angular range of a part in the circumferential direction of the shaft of the shaft member 331.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a stimulating unit 430 according to a modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the stimulating unit 430 includes a plurality of linear members 431 that extend along an axial direction of a central axis and are radially arranged along a circumferential direction of the central axis, and a support 432 that supports the plurality of linear members 431, and a gripping portion 433 that is provided on the support 432.

The axial direction of the central axis of the stimulating unit 430 is an axial direction of the outer casing 10. The circumferential direction of the central axis of the stimulating unit 430 is a radial direction of the outer casing 10.

The number of the plurality of linear members 431 is not particularly limited.

The gripping portion 433 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited to this.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to use a stimulating unit having a substantially spherical main body portion. A plurality of holes are formed in at least a part of the substantially spherical main body portion.

A diameter of the substantially spherical main body portion may be smaller than a diameter of the opening Ba of the storage container B. That is, the stimulating unit is accommodated in an accommodation space of the storage container B.

In this case, a density of a forming material of the main body portion is preferably lower than a density of water at 20° C. Thereby, even when the stimulating unit is accommodated in the accommodation space of the storage container B, the stimulating unit exists near a liquid level of a beverage inside the storage container B. As a result, it is possible to efficiently increase a surface area of at least a part of a gas-liquid interface of the beverage.

Examples of the material include polyethylene and polypropylene.

Further, in the present embodiment, a porous stimulating unit can be used. As a result, it is possible to efficiently increase a surface area of at least a part of a gas-liquid interface of the beverage.

Further, in the present embodiment, the stimulating unit 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can efficiently increase the surface area of at least a part of the gas-liquid interface of the beverage. The shape of the main body portion 31 may be a columnar shape, a prismatic shape, a plate shape, a shape surrounded by other planes or spherical surfaces, a substantially elliptical spherical shape, a rugby ball shape, a tetrapod shape, or the like.

As one aspect, the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment may further include a closing member that is detachably provided at the opening Ba of the storage container B.

The “closing member” is a tubular container having an accommodation space capable of accommodating an end portion of the storage container B at which the opening of the storage container B is formed. In the present embodiment, the closing member is mainly a lid of, for example, a plastic bottle or a water bottle.

The stimulating unit 30 is provided on the closing member. In addition, in the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the stimulating unit 30 and the closing member are not limited to be integrated, and may be separated.

In the present embodiment, the storage container B is used for filling the beverage therein, but is not limited to this.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a container member 50 according to a modification example. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the container member 50 of the present embodiment has a tubular container main body 51 provided such that the tubular container main body 51 can be filled with the beverage and accommodated in the outer casing 10, and a closing member 52 detachably provided at an opening 51 a of the container main body 51.

The stimulating unit 30 is detachably provided with the central axis aligned to the opening 51 a of the container main body 51. A diameter of a main body portion 31 of the stimulating unit 30 is smaller than a diameter of the opening 51 a of the container main body 51.

A diameter of a holding portion 34 of the stimulating unit 30 is larger than the diameter of the opening 51 a of the container main body 51.

A forming material of the container main body 51 is not particularly limited, but the same material as the forming material of the main body portion 31 can be used.

In the present embodiment, the container main body 51 has a tubular shape, and other shapes may be used.

In the present embodiment, by changing a material or a thickness of the container main body 51, it is possible to adjust a time up to making the beverage in the supercooled state from the start of cooling the beverage or a time for keeping the supercooled state of the beverage.

The stimulating unit 30 is provided on a closing member 52. In addition, in the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the stimulating unit 30 and the closing member 52 are not limited to be integrated, and may be separated.

Further, the outer casing 10 may have a fixing belt (fixing portion) wound around the container main body 51 and capable of fixing the container main body 51.

In the cold insulation tool 1 including the container member 50 in FIG. 11, since the container member 50 is separated from the heat exchange unit 25, it is possible to adjust an amount of ice slurry formed even after the ice slurry is produced. For example, when the container member 50 and the heat exchange unit 25 are integrated, once the beverage starts to be slurried, a process continues until the heat-storage material 21 is completely melted.

On the other hand, in a case where the container member 50 is separated from the heat exchange unit 25, it is possible to suppress the beverage from being slurried by taking the container member 50 out of the outer casing 10 when the amount of ice slurry formed reaches a desired amount. Further, when the amount of ice slurry formed is further increased, it is possible to advance the slurry formation by cooling the internal space of the outer casing 10 again by the heat exchange unit 25.

Therefore, in the cold insulation tool 1 including the container member 50 in FIG. 11, it is possible to adjust an amount of ice slurry formed even after the ice slurry is produced.

In the cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment, the stimulating unit as described above can also be used.

The cold insulation tool 1 of the present embodiment may further include a damper provided on an inner peripheral surface 10 x of the outer casing 10 in order to prevent impact from the outside of the cold insulation tool 1 from being transmitted to the beverage filled in the storage container B.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 2 according to a second embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 1. The cold insulation tool 2 of the present embodiment is a vertical type cold insulation tool similar to the cold insulation tool 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to components that are common to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

An alarm unit 61 included in the cold insulation tool 2 outputs an alarm sound under a predetermined condition. In FIG. 12, the alarm unit 61 is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer casing 10. A position of the alarm unit 61 is not limited to this.

The “predetermined condition” may be, for example, “after a time taken for a temperature of the beverage reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage is elapsed”. The predetermined condition can be set optionally.

The cold insulation tool 2 may include a control unit that causes the alarm unit 61 to output an alarm sound under the predetermined condition.

According to the cold insulation tool 2 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 3 according to a third embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 1. The cold insulation tool 3 of the present embodiment is a vertical type cold insulation tool similar to the cold insulation tool 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to components that are common to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

An ultrasonic wave generation unit 70 included in the cold insulation tool 3 includes a transducer 71 that exposes a beverage filled in the storage container B to an ultrasonic wave, and a support base 72 that supports the transducer in a state where the transducer 71 is in contact with a bottom surface of the storage container B.

The transducer 71 is in contact with the bottom surface of the storage container B. A frequency and supply power of the transducer 71 are not particularly limited. Although one transducer 71 is used in FIG. 13, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of transducers may be used.

In the present embodiment, if it is possible to keep a state where the transducer 71 is in contact with the bottom surface of the storage container B, the support base 72 can be omitted.

According to the cold insulation tool 3 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generation unit 70 is used, but is not limited to this. The cold insulation tool 3 of the present embodiment may have a vibration generation unit that applies vibration to a beverage filled in the storage container B, instead of the ultrasonic wave generation unit 70.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 4 according to a fourth embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 14. The cold insulation. tool 4 of the present embodiment is a vertical type cold insulation tool similar to the cold insulation tool 3 of the third embodiment. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to components that are common to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The measurement unit 62 included in the cold insulation tool 4 measures a time for cooling a beverage filled in the storage container B. In FIG. 14, the measurement unit 62 is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the outer casing 10. A position of the measurement unit 62 is not limited to this.

A timer unit 63 included in the cold insulation tool 4 automatically controls a transducer 71 after the time measured by the measurement unit 62 reaches a predetermined time. In FIG. 14, the timer unit 63 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer casing 10. A position of the timer unit 63 is not limited to this.

The “predetermined time” is a time preset as a time taken for a temperature of the beverage filled in the storage container B reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage.

According to the cold insulation tool 4 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

The cold insulation tool 4 of the present embodiment may include the alarm unit 61 of the second embodiment. In this case, the alarm unit 61 outputs an alarm sound after reaching the above-mentioned predetermined time.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 5 according to a fifth embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 12. The cold insulation tool 5 of the present embodiment is a vertical type cold insulation tool similar to the cold insulation tool 2 of the second embodiment. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to components that are common to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

A communication unit 80 included in the cold insulation tool 5 communicates with an external device T. Examples of the external device T include a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, and a smart watch.

The notification unit 64 included in the cold insulation tool 5 notifies, via the communication unit 80, the external device T after a time taken for a temperature of the beverage filled in the storage container B reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage.

According to the cold insulation tool 5 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a cold insulation tool 6 according to a sixth embodiment and is a view corresponding to FIG. 1. The cold insulation tool 6 of the present embodiment is a vertical type cold insulation tool similar to the cold insulation tool 1 of the first embodiment. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to components that are common to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

A stimulating unit 35 included in the cold insulation tool 6 of the sixth embodiment have a capsule-like or tablet-like carbon dioxide-generating agent 40 that can generate carbon dioxide by coming into contact with a beverage to supply the carbon dioxide to the beverage.

As one aspect, it is preferable that the carbon dioxide-generating agent contains a water-soluble main agent and compressed carbon dioxide confined in the water-soluble main agent. Examples of the water-soluble main agent include a candy.

In this type of carbon dioxide-generating agent, the water-soluble main agent is dissolved in water contained in the beverage, and the compressed carbon dioxide confined in the water-soluble main agent is released into the beverage, to thereby generate carbon dioxide.

A method of producing this type of the carbon dioxide-generating agent is not particularly limited, but a known method can be adopted. Examples of the known method include a method of cooling the dissolved main agent while being exposed to a high-pressure carbon dioxide.

As one aspect, the carbon dioxide-generating agent preferably contains sodium hydrogencarbonate and citric acid.

In this type of carbon dioxide-generating agent, carbon dioxide is generated by the neutralization reaction of sodium hydrogencarbonate with citric acid.

The method of producing this type of the carbon dioxide-generating agent is not particularly limited, but a known method can be adopted. Examples of the method include a method of mixing sodium hydrogencarbonate with citric acid powder and pressure molding the obtained mixture.

According to the cold insulation tool 6 with such a configuration, it becomes easy to produce ice slurry.

[Effect]

When the cold insulation tool of the above-described embodiment in which the storage container B for filling the beverage therein is accommodated is shaken in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the outer casing 10, many fine bubbles are generated as compared with the general storage container B that has no stimulating unit 30. In the cold insulation tool 1 of the first embodiment, it is considered that bubbles are generated when air and the beverage simultaneously flow in and out the plurality of holes 32 and 33 formed in the stimulating unit 30. In addition, in the cold insulation tools 2 to 5 of the second to fifth embodiments, it is considered that the liquid level of the beverage is roughened due to a ultrasonic pressure generated by the ultrasonic wave generation unit 70, such that bubbles are generated.

Many fine bubbles are generated, and thus a surface area of a gas-liquid interface between bubbles and the beverage increases. Generally, it is known that interfacial free energy of the gas-liquid interface is increased in proportion to the surface area. As a result, it is considered that the interfacial free energy is increased by using the cold insulation tool of the above-described embodiment.

Further, bubbles generate a large impact force (impact pressure) when bursting. It is considered that many fine bubbles are generated by the cold insulation tool of the above-described embodiment, resulting in increase in occurrence of change in a local pressure.

From the above results, it is considered that the supercooled state of the beverage can be eliminated to produce ice slurry.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following description, the reference numerals used in the above embodiments will be used as appropriate.

(Melting Point of Heat-Storage Material)

First, about 4 mg of a latent heat-storage material in a liquid phase state was enclosed in an aluminum pan for DSC measurement, a temperature of the heat-storage material was lowered at a rate of 5° C./min, and a phase of the heat-storage material was changed from the liquid phase state to a solid phase state, and then the temperature of the heat-storage material rose at a rate of 5° C./min. At this time, an endothermic peak was obtained in a DSC curve when the phase was changed from the solid phase state to the liquid phase state. The temperature obtained by extrapolating the temperature at which the endothermic peak starts to a baseline was a melting starting temperature. The melting starting temperature thus obtained was determined as the melting point of the heat-storage material.

Example 1

A beverage container (storage container, PET bottle, 500 ml) with a commercially available soft beverage therein was cooled using the cold insulation tool 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, the commercially available soft beverage being kept cold in a refrigeration chamber (about 3° C.) of a refrigerator in advance. The stimulating unit 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 was used as the stimulating unit. The heat exchange unit 25 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 was used as the heat exchange unit.

As the outer casing 10, a cylindrical member having an inner diameter of 100 mm and a height of 270 mm was used. Note that, neoprene (registered trademark) was used as a forming material of the outer casing 10.

The main body portion 31 which is a cylindrical member made of polypropylene having an inner diameter of 20 to 21 mm and a height of 16 mm was used. The bottom surface of the main body portion 31 was provided with a plurality of circular holes having a diameter of 1 mm and circular holes having a diameter of 2 mm. In addition, the bottom surface of the main body portion 31 was provided with a plurality of egg-shaped holes having a long diameter of 2 mm and a short diameter of 1 mm and a plurality of egg-shaped holes having a long diameter of 3 mm and a short diameter of 2 mm. A side surface of the main body portion 31 was provided with a plurality of rectangular holes of 1 mm×4 mm.

A size of the filling portion 26 had a length of 280 mm, a width of 190 mm, and a height of 15 mm.

The heat-storage material 21 included in the heat exchange unit 25 having a melting point of −11° C. was used.

The heat exchange unit 25 used the heat-storage material 21 which was stood and cooled for 10 hours or longer in the refrigerator (about −18° C.) in advance, and solidified.

First, the stimulating unit 30 in FIG. 2 was disposed in the opening of the beverage container, and the lid was closed. The heat exchange unit 25 was wound around the beverage container in which the stimulating unit 30 was disposed as illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat exchange unit 25 being disposed inside the outer casing 10, and the beverage was cooled for 30 minutes at room temperature of 25° C. in a state where the cold insulation tool 1 and the beverage container were stood.

After 30 minutes, the beverage container was taken out and shaken up and down about 5 times, and as a result, ice slurry could be produced.

Comparative Example 1

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stimulating unit 30 was not disposed in the opening of the beverage container. As a result of Comparative Example 1, it was confirmed that the ice slurry could not be produced and the beverage in the beverage container existed in a liquid state.

Example 2

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stimulating unit 130 in FIG. 7 was used as the stimulating unit.

As the main body portion 131, a conical member made of polypropylene having a bottom surface portion with an inner diameter of 13 mm and a height of 30 mm was used. A side surface of the main body portion 131 was provided with a plurality of rectangular holes 132 of 1 mm×4 mm.

As a result of Example 2, ice slurry could be produced.

Example 3

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the stimulating unit 230 in FIG. 8 was used as the stimulating unit.

As the stimulating unit 230, a commercially available straw was used to cut into 140 mm and provide a plurality of circular holes 232 having a diameter of 1.5 to 2 mm at a position of 70 mm from a lower end.

As a result of Example 3, ice slurry could be produced.

Example 4

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a commercially available sponge (porous body) was used to cut into a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 21 mm and a height of 25 mm as the stimulating unit.

As a result of Example 4, ice slurry could be produced.

Example 5

The cold insulation tool 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 was used, and the container member 50 illustrated in FIG. 11 was used.

As the container main body 51, a cylindrical member made of AS resin having an inner diameter of 63 mm and a height of 190 mm was used.

500 ml of a commercially available soft beverage was put in the container main body 51 of the container member 50 illustrated in FIG. 11, the stimulating unit 30 was disposed in the opening 51 a, and the container main body 51 of the container member 50 in which the closing member 52 was closed was kept cold in the refrigeration chamber (about 3° C.) of the refrigerator. After being kept cold, the heat exchange unit 25 was wound around the container main body 51 taken out from the refrigeration chamber, the heat exchange unit 25 being disposed in the outer casing 10, and the beverage was cooled for 30 minutes at room temperature of 25° C. in a state where the cold insulation tool 1 was stood.

After 30 minutes, the container member 50 was taken out and shaken up and down about 5 times, and as a result, ice slurry could be produced.

Comparative Example 2

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the stimulating unit 30 was not disposed in the opening 51 a of the container main body 51. As a result of Comparative Example 2, it was confirmed that the ice slurry could not be produced and the beverage in the beverage container existed in a liquid state.

Reference Example

A keeping time of the supercooled state of the beverage was confirmed by using the cold insulation tool 1 after Comparative Example 2. The heat exchange unit 25 was wound around container member 50 with the beverage therein immediately again and disposed inside the outer casing 10, and the beverage was cooled in a state where the cold insulation tool 1 was stood.

As a result of Reference Example, after 1 hour has elapsed from a point of time when the heat exchange unit 25 was first wound in Comparative Example 2, it was confirmed that icicles that were not slurry were formed on a wall surface inside the container main body 51.

As a result, when the beverage taken out from the refrigerator is cooled by the heat exchange unit 25, the supercooled state of the beverage can be kept for at least 30 minutes from 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the ice slurry can be produced at optional timing.

Example 6

The procedure was carried out in the same manner as in Example 5, except that the stimulating unit 330 in FIG. 9 was used as the stimulating unit.

The shaft member 331 having a length of 150 mm and a brush body at a position 70 mm from the lower end of the shaft member 331 was used.

As a result of Example 6, ice slurry could be produced.

(Discussion)

In Examples 1 to 6 to which the present invention is applied, many fine bubbles are generated in the beverage, and thus a surface area of a gas-liquid interface between bubbles and the beverage increases. As a result, it is considered that the interfacial free energy of the gas-liquid interface becomes large.

Moreover, the fine bubbles are generated, resulting in increase in occurrence of change in a local pressure.

From the above results, it is considered that the supercooled state of the beverage can be eliminated to produce ice slurry.

Further, the results of Examples 1 to 6 show that a configuration of the stimulating unit is not particularly limited as long as the surface area of the gas-liquid interface between the bubbles and the beverage can be increased.

From the above, the present invention has shown to be useful. 

1. A cold insulation tool comprising: an outer casing that is provided to accommodate a storage container that is tubular and filled with a beverage; a heat exchange unit that is detachably provided in the outer casing; and a stimulating unit that increases a surface area of at least a part of a gas-liquid interface of the beverage, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a heat-storage material having a predetermined melting point, and a filling portion that has an internal space for liquid-tightly filling the heat-storage material therein, and the melting point of the heat-storage material is lower than −0.2° C.
 2. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit has a main body portion that has a tubular shape, a bowl shape, or a substantially spherical shape and has an internal space, and a plurality of holes are formed in at least a part of the main body portion.
 3. The cold insulation tool according to claim 2, wherein a density of a forming material of the main body portion is lower than a density of water at 20° C.
 4. The cold insulation tool according to claim 2, further comprising: a holding portion that holds the main body portion at an opening of the storage container.
 5. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit includes a shaft member and a brush body that is provided on at least a part of the shaft member.
 6. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit is a porous body.
 7. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit includes a plurality of linear members that extend along an axial direction of a central axis and are radially disposed along a circumferential direction of the central axis, and a support that supports the plurality of linear members.
 8. The cold insulation tool according to claim 2, further comprising: a closing member that is detachably provided at an opening of the storage container, wherein the stimulating unit is provided on the closing member.
 9. The cold insulation tool according to claim 2, further comprising: a container main body that is tubular and provided such that the container main body is filled with the beverage, and accommodated in the outer casing, and a closing member that is detachably provided at an opening of the container main body.
 10. The cold insulation tool according to claim 9, wherein the stimulating unit is provided on the closing member.
 11. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, further comprising: an alarm unit that outputs an alarm sound.
 12. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit includes a vibration generation unit that applies vibration to the beverage.
 13. The cold insulation tool according to claim 12, further comprising: a measurement unit for measuring a time for cooling the beverage, and a timer unit that automatically controls the vibration generation unit after a time measured by the measurement unit reaches a predetermined time, wherein the predetermined time is a time preset as a time taken for a temperature of the beverage reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage.
 14. The cold insulation tool according to claim 13, further comprising: an alarm unit that outputs an alarm sound after reaching the predetermined time.
 15. The cold insulation tool according to claim 12, wherein the vibration generation unit includes an ultrasonic wave generation unit that exposes the beverage to an ultrasonic wave.
 16. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and a notification unit that notifies, via the communication unit, the external device after a time taken for a temperature of the beverage reaching a temperature lower than a freezing starting temperature of the beverage is elapsed.
 17. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, further comprising: a damper that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer casing.
 18. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing has a fixing portion that is provided to fix the storage container.
 19. The cold insulation tool according to claim 9, wherein the outer casing has a fixing portion that is provided to fix the container main body.
 20. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the stimulating unit has a capsule-like or tablet-like carbon dioxide-generating agent that generates carbon dioxide by coming into contact with the beverage.
 21. The cold insulation tool according to claim 20, wherein the carbon dioxide-generating agent is a tablet-like carbon dioxide-generating agent, and contains a water-soluble main agent and compressed carbon dioxide.
 22. The cold insulation tool according to claim 20, wherein the carbon dioxide-generating agent contains sodium hydrogencarbonate and citric acid.
 23. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein a foamed resin or cloth is used as a forming material for the outer casing.
 24. The cold insulation tool according to claim 23, wherein the outer casing uses a stretchable material as the forming material.
 25. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein a freezing temperature of the heat-storage material is −30° C. or higher.
 26. The cold insulation tool according to claim 25, wherein the freezing temperature of the heat-storage material is −18° C. or higher.
 27. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the heat-storage material is an inorganic salt aqueous solution containing water and an inorganic salt, a concentration w of the inorganic salt with respect to a total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution is lower than a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of the water and the inorganic salt, and a melting point T of the heat-storage material satisfies a following Equation (1). $\begin{matrix} {{T = {- \frac{RT_{f}^{2}}{\Delta \; H}}}\frac{nw}{M\left( {{100} - w} \right)}} & (1) \end{matrix}$ (T: melting point (° C.) w: concentration of inorganic salt (wt %) M: molecular weight of inorganic salt (g/mol) R: gas constant (J/K·mol) Tf: melting point of water (K) ΔH: latent heat of water (J/g) n: a number of ions generated when one inorganic salt is ionized in aqueous solution)
 28. The cold insulation tool according to claim 1, wherein the heat-storage material is an inorganic salt aqueous solution containing water and an inorganic salt, and a concentration of the inorganic salt with respect to a total mass of the inorganic salt aqueous solution is a concentration forming a eutectic crystal of the water and the inorganic salt. 